Monju enters extended testing

An extended period of testing hasstarted at JapanAtomic Energy Agency's (JAEA's) Monju fast-breeder reactor, followingmonths ofremodelling work. The 280 MWe prototype started up in 1994 but suffereda leak of sodiumcoolant during tests in 1995 which took it offline for design changes.Those changes have now been made and tested individually. Testing ofthe entire plant is due to begin today and continue for an extended period over the next 12months to allow for moredetailed testing which JAEA said should give more certainty of safety.The restart of Monju is set for October 2008, five months later than previous schedules.